Glossary

A writ used as a means to bring a person before the court to determine whether he/she is being detained unlawfully.

Harmless error

An error committed during a trial that was corrected or was not serious enough to affect the outcome of a trial and therefore was not sufficiently harmful (prejudicial) to be reversed on appeal.

Hearing proceedings

A record of the testimony and evidence entered.

Hearsay

Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.

Hostile witness

A witness whose testimony is not favorable to the party who calls him/her as a witness. A hostile witness may be asked leading questions and may be cross examined by the party who calls him/her to the stand.